Dr. Kroc

Toothy Reptile Takes Fear Out Of Going To The Dentist

As "Dr. Kroc" sticks his tooth-filled, green snout out of the stage curtain, the children shriek with laughter.

"There he is ... there he is," a youngster shouts with glee as his teacher tries to calm the class.

Not everyone wants to be a green crocodile, but Mark Babcock, a Denbigh-based orthodonist, has no problem with the concept and delights in capturing the interest and imagination of his young audience.

Babcock created the reptile-like character that is getting rave reviews from elementary school children as they learn more about the care of teeth.

It all started a couple of years ago when the orthodonist took part in a dental education program in area schools which was sponsored by the local chapter of the American Dental Society. Now, Babcock volunteers to bring his program and crocodile to children in Peninsula schools throughout the year.

"The aim is to create good dental habits among the young, help them overcome their fear of dentists, and try to reach those who don't go to the dentist regularly," he says.

"The best age to approach the children are those in kindergarten through the third grade. Most of the students love animals and can easily identify with make-believe characters like Dr. Kroc."

For the past five years, Babcock has been visiting elementary schools and entertaining the children with short programs on dental health with some help from his office robot, named "Mortimer."

"I felt that an animal character would be more effective, so last year I began looking for just the right animal. I called on my sister in Atlanta, who has a costume company for professional actors. She mailed me several masks to try out, before I finally selected the soft, goofy-looking crocodile which had big shiny, plastic teeth," says Babcock.

The children have been very receptive of Dr. Kroc. He has tremendous positive appeal, according to the doctor. He is funny and dramatic, which causes the youngsters to hang on to his every word.

Typically, Babcock lets Dr. Kroc introduce the short films on dental subjects. Favorite programs for preschoolers and first and second-graders are "How Peter Molar Found a Smile," "A Visit to the Dentist," and "The Tooth Book." Third through fourth-graders see films called the "Haunted Mouth," or "Be the Best You Can Be," which focus on dental health, nutrition, appearance, and smiles, or "All About Braces," which explains orthodontics and its place in dental health.

The orthodonist got the idea for Dr. Kroc from the popularity attained by McGruff the Crime Dog.

From the looks of it, Dr. Kroc is already a success. Children write him letters of thanks for visiting their schools or ask him questions about teeth.

"They know Dr. Kroc is not real, but they are still fascinated. It is rare when a child shows any fear around him. They all laugh when he flashes his teeth and asks them what they think," says Babcock, who has had a practice on the Peninsula for 13 years. He presently has orthodontic practices in Denbigh and Gloucester.

Babcock believes if children learn good dental habits while young, they will continue the practice in adult life. "It is like getting in the habit of using a seat belt. Youngsters know the belt is for safety. When they learn what can happen to their teeth if they don't take care of them, they'll hopefully take the precaution to look after their own."

When he tells them about orthodontic treatments, he points out that the treatments are tied in with self-image. "If your teeth fit in place, they will look better, clean better, and be healthier," he points out.

He hopes his dental health program will make the youngsters realize they can control the future in how they look and feel about themselves. He believes the program has a place in the schools throughout the year and not just during Dental Health Month in February.

Dr. Kroc and Babcock have visited eight schools and over 1,000 students so far this year.

"Continued emphasis on good dental habits is helping decrease the dental problems seen in our school-age children," he says.

Babcock, a Georgia native, and his wife, Pearl, have two children, Brandon, 6, and Ashley, 5. The family recently settled in a new home in the Kingsmill section of Williamsburg.

The orthodonist is a people-oriented individual, whose concern for the comforts of his young patients is evident in the decor of his Denbigh office at 640 Denbigh Blvd.

He has dental and waiting room chairs sized to fit the youngsters. There is a special corner in the complex where the children can brush their teeth with personalized brushes before seeing the doctor. Children can also enjoy a small video arcade while they wait for their turn in the dental chair.

"I want them to be comfortable and look forward to the visit. I want them to see that a visit to the dentist is not something to dread, but very important to their health," he says.